Assistant Professor in Chicanx/Latinx Experiences, Law, and Policy

Opt For Healthy Living; California (MO); On-site; USD 88,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor with a specialization in Chicanx/Latinx Experiences, Law, and Policy to begin August 2027.

The department seeks scholars employing interdisciplinary methods across Chicana/o Studies, legal studies, public policy analysis, and social justice, contributing to undergrad and graduate curricula such as Chicanx Communities and the Law and Public Policy studies.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to teach and develop undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Chicana and Chicano Studies, with focus on law, policy, or social justice.
• Strong record or clear potential for scholarly research and publication in related areas.
• Ability to mentor graduate students and develop innovative curricula.
• Commitment to equity, inclusive teaching, and engagement with diverse communities.

Skills

Teaching across undergrad/grad courses

Scholarly research in field

Curriculum development

Interdisciplinary approaches

Education

PhD in Chicana/o Studies and related fields

Job description

Assistant Professor in Chicanx/Latinx Experiences, Law, and Policy

Job no: 560586
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Social Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

School/Department Name: College of Social Sciences, Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule . Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $88,000 - $92,000

Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector. See the CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details about the CSU’s excellent benefits package.

Target Start Date: August 19, 2027

Application Deadline: 10/11/2026 (Applications accepted until filled or closed)

The Department of Chicana and Chicano at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for an Assistant Professor with a specialization in Chicanx/Latinx Experiences, Law, and Policy beginning in August 2027. The department welcomes scholars employing a range of interdisciplinary approaches, including Chicana/o Studies, legal studies, public policy analysis, social justice studies, immigration studies, community-engaged research, restorative justice, racial equity, and the social impacts of emerging technologies. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate curricula through courses such as Chicanx/Latinx Communities and the Law, Public Policy and Chicanx Experiences, Chicanas/os in the Criminal Justice System, and related topics in Chicana/o Studies.

The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at San José State University was created in 1968. It is one of the nation's pioneering Ethnic Studies programs and educates students through an interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in social justice, community engagement, and critical inquiry. Distinctive within the CSU system and nationally, CCS is home to the oldest graduate program in Chicana/o Studies in the United States and one of only a handful of graduate programs in the discipline in California. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the department offers unique opportunities for collaboration with diverse communities, public institutions, and advocacy organizations while supporting undergraduate and graduate specializations in areas such as Cultural and Creative Expression, Institutions and Community Engagement, Policy Studies, and Transnationalism. Candidates will join a collaborative community of faculty, staff, and students committed to advancing scholarship and teaching on the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, gender, culture, law, public policy, and social justice, with opportunities to develop innovative curricula, mentor graduate students, and contribute to research and public engagement that serves Chicanx/Latinx communities in California and beyond.

The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies is part of the College of Social Sciences, which is committed to equitable and inclusive teaching and learning. The College sees faculty and student success as inextricably linked, and strives to provide culturally-sustaining, and academically-affirming approaches to supporting and engaging students and faculty. We provide opportunities for faculty development around asset-based, holistic student success, and support scholarship of engagement that addresses issues that affect our campus and community. In all of our endeavors, we strive to build leadership capacity and foster a culture of support and belonging for faculty, staff, and students.

The Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service.Our university enrolls more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition,

we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines .

• PhD in Chicana/o Studies, Ethnic Studies, Latinx Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Justice Studies, Public Policy, or a closely related field with a demonstrated specialization in Chicanx/Latinx experiences, law, and/or public policy (degree must be completed by the time of appointment).
• Demonstrated ability to teach and develop undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Chicana and Chicano Studies, particularly in areas such as law, public policy, social justice, or community-based research, as evidenced by prior teaching experience, teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, or instructional training.
• Demonstrated record of, or clear potential for, scholarly research and publication focused on the intersection of Chicanx/Latinx communities with legal systems, public policy, civil rights, immigration, criminal justice, or related institutional frameworks, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, dissertation research, or an active research agenda.
• Applicants should demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student populations as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience.

Priority will be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated expertise in Chicana/o Studies, Ethnic Studies, legal studies, public policy analysis, criminal justice reform, immigration policy, civil rights law, or related applied policy fields, particularly as they relate to California and/or U.S. state and